“Hey, guys.” Maggie waved and started to open the trunk of her car, and her brothers all jogged toward her to help. Melanie got out of the car quickly and ran to give each of them a hug before scurrying off toward the house.
Each man grabbed a couple of bags and followed Maggie into the home. They deposited the groceries in the kitchen, and Maggie worked on putting them away. Her brothers plopped down around the dining table.
“So, how was the play date?” Patrick asked.
“I think she had a good time.” Maggie folded a paper sack in half and started a pile as she emptied each bag of its contents.
“That’s good. Finn and Connor love having her around too,” Patrick said.
Liam cleared his throat and cautiously asked, “Mags, any word from Michael?”
Maggie rolled her eyes. She hadn’t talked to him all week, and when he had called she’d given the phone over to Melanie. Maggie didn’t have a whole lot to say to him, but she didn’t want to deny Michael or Melanie their time. Michael had made himself quite clear that he was unhappy that Maggie had already enrolled their daughter in school. He was more than a little upset, to say the least.
“I haven’t really talked to him, why?”
“I don’t know, we were just curious how things were going,” Liam continued. “I know Mel is settling in nicely at school, and we were sort of curious about what your plans were.”
“My plans?”
Daniel chimed in, “Yeah, like do you think you might need a job?”
“Well, eventually, I suppose. I don’t really know what’s going to happen.” Her voice was turning shaky. Earlier, her mind had been working out the details of her new life, but she knew at some point decisions were going to have to be made.
Patrick spoke next. “Maggie, we wanted to see if you would be interested in possibly coming to work down at the shop.”
“What happened to your receptionist?” They had her attention now. At first she thought her brothers were just meddling, but they were actually trying to throw her a lifeline.
“She’s moving to Spokane, I guess she met some guy out there or something,” Daniel answered. “What’s for dinner by the way? I’m starved. Did Mom say when she was going to be back?”
“No, she didn’t say, she’s with her book club ladies. I was thinking of making spaghetti. You good with that?” Maggie offered as she started to set out the fixings for dinner.
Daniel nodded in agreement. “Yeah, that sounds great.”
“So do you think you might be interested?” Patrick asked.
“Maybe, I mean I can work up until the baby is born for sure. I’d be happy to help you out. At the least until you find a replacement.”
“Great, we would appreciate the help for sure. I remember when you used to help out down there when we were teenagers, so it’ll be a piece of cake.” Patrick seemed happy that Maggie was agreeing to work there.
“I actually appreciate you guys offering the position to me, I have been kind of going a little nuts here. There isn’t a whole lot for me to do while Mel is at school.”
“Well, that’s perfect, we’re helping you, and you’re helping us. Everyone wins,” Daniel said as he stretched and rose from his chair.
Maggie started dinner as Daniel and Patrick got up to leave. “I’ll let you guys know when it’s ready. Patrick, are you sticking around for dinner?”
“Yeah, the boys love spaghetti.” Patrick smiled as he followed Daniel.
Liam remained at the table. “Do you need any help with dinner?”
“Um, you can help with the salad I guess, and maybe open these dang jars of sauce.” Maggie was straining as tried to twist the lid off. She smacked the bottom of the jar, but to no avail. Liam got up and took the jar from her, and her gentle giant of a brother took the lid off with ease. “Thanks.”
“So that’s pretty neat about the job, right?”
“Yeah, it’s sweet of you guys to think of me. I guess I just feel like that might make this whole thing with Michael real.” Maggie could feel her voice catching on the lump forming in her throat.
“I know, it’s weird having Mel go to school here. I see her in the halls, and she comes by my class sometimes on her way to recess. It’s great and sort of how I had always hoped it would be, but I’ve got to admit it’s a little strange,” he said.
Maggie nodded. “Dropping her off at school the first couple of days was really hard. You know, when we are here it just feels like when we used to come and visit, except now she has her own room.”
“What are you and Michael going to do?”
“I think time is really the only answer for now. He’s welcome to come here. I want him to be in our lives. I still love him, Liam,” Maggie said. She could feel hot tears burning in her eyes.
Liam scooped her into a hug. “I know you do. I can’t imagine what you are going through, but I hope things get better.”
Maggie hugged her brother back, wiping the wetness from her cheeks. She took the jar of sauce, adding it to the large stainless steel pot. “Enough about me. How are things going with you and Rachel?”
“Good. Her friend is coming up to visit next month. She was supposed to get in this week, but I guess she is known for changing her mind. I’m a little nervous to meet her, to be honest.”
“Really? Are you talking about her friend Chelsea? Rachel told me all about her, she sounds like a fun girl and one of Rachel’s best friends,” Maggie responded as she stirred the simmering contents in the pot, the sweet, tomato laden aroma filling the kitchen. She took out a tablespoon from the drawer and sampled it, then went in search for some herbs to add to the sauce.
“Starting to smell good,” Liam commented as he pulled out an enormous serving bowl to put some salad fixings in.
“Anyway, I wouldn’t be too nervous about meeting her friend.”
“I know, it’s just our relationship is pretty new and…”
“Are you worried because it’s someone from California?”
Liam started chopping away at the head of lettuce and looked like he was considering what Maggie just said. “Maybe a little. I mean, at first I wasn’t so thrilled with Rachel being from there.”
“Well, I’m sure her friend is kind and wonderful just like Rachel, otherwise how could they have been friends this long?”
“I guess you’re probably right.”
“Besides, I’m sure Rachel is excited to show you off.” Maggie hoped the little confidence builder was enough to reassure her brother. She could see his cheeks blush a soft pink.
***
The morning before St. Patrick’s Day was cold, the sky a wicked gray with thick white streaks of angry-looking clouds. Rain drops started to splatter the windshield of Maggie’s car as she went to take Melanie to school. Maggie prayed the weather would improve, the town would be holding its annual celebration of the holiday that weekend. The Pacific Northwest’s spring weather was well known for the storms that would violently pass through, only to have the sun come out fighting, shining brightly as though not a raindrop had been spilt. You just never knew what to expect.
After waving good bye to Melanie, she drove toward her brothers’ shop. It was only a few blocks away, and by the time her car pulled next to Patrick’s truck the sun was out and quickly drinking up the wetness left behind from the passing storm.
“Morning, guys,” Maggie announced happily as she hung her lightweight coat on the metal hooks by the entry.
Patrick leaned against the counter, coffee mug securely in hand as he gazed at a small stack of invoices. “Morning,” he replied, not even looking up. Maggie could tell he hadn’t had enough caffeine yet to actually interact with others.
Daniel was gathering several tools to load into the work truck for the job they had to do that day. “Hey, Maggie, is it still raining?”
“Nope, it’s already clearing up.”
“Good, it looked nasty out there earlier.” Daniel smiled as he spoke.
Mag
gie worked her way behind the counter and sat at the desk. She turned on the computer monitor and looked at her brothers. They were both so different: Patrick, always moody and serious, Daniel, joyful and happy. She wondered how these two men were able to work so well together, when they were such complete opposites. She had been helping out at the shop for a little over two weeks and she’d been able to watch her brothers in action. Patrick ran a tight ship, much like their father and Grandpa Paddy had. He was all business. She would catch him laughing, but only after Daniel had finally cracked his professional exterior. Daniel ran around the shop with an efficiency she didn’t know he possessed. He knew where every single tool was kept, what its purpose was, and tried teaching Maggie things when times were quiet and he was busy organizing everything. Maggie enjoyed her part in the whole operation, answering phones, setting up appointments, and making sure there was plenty of coffee waiting for the guys when they returned from a job. Granted, she handled invoices and other paperwork, but a lot of the time she sat at her desk letting her mind wander with games of solitaire on the computer. She was thankful her brothers offered the job to her. She was starting to squirrel away a little money and felt satisfied that this could be a part of her future.
The shop was quiet after Daniel and Patrick left. She knew they would be gone most of the day today, and she prayed the weather would be kind to them. She was stapling some statements together when the phone rang.
“Good morning, thank you for calling O’Brien Construction, how can I help you?” Her voice was professional and warm.
“Good morning, dear,” Mary replied.
“Hey, Mom, how’s it going?”
“Splendid. I was hoping I could steal you away on your lunch?”
Maggie smiled. With her working during the day, she found herself spending less time with her mother, and was actually starting to miss her company. “Sure, Mom.”
“Herrick’s?” Mary offered.
“Sure, sounds great. You want to meet me here?”
“I’ll come by the shop, say, around one. Will that work for you?”
Maggie looked at their large, white dry erase board. They used it to keep the day’s work organized so that way everyone was on the same page and knew what was going on. The board looked clear for one, and for most of the afternoon.
“One is fine, Mom. See you then.” Maggie hung up the phone. She was delighted to spend her lunch hour with Mary. Her belly was already growling for food, she could almost taste one of Herrick’s golden fries, cooked to absolute perfection. She eyed the clock above the dry erase board; it was only a little after nine.
***
Maggie had just beat another round of solitaire on the computer when her mother arrived at the shop.
“Hello, dear,” Mary said. “You ready to get some lunch? I’m starved.”
Maggie smiled. “Great, let me grab my coat. You want to take my car?”
“That’s fine, or we can walk?”
“It was pouring earlier, I don’t trust this weather,” Maggie replied.
Mary nodded and followed Maggie out to her car. Once they were inside, Mary ran her hand slowly against the caramel-colored leather interior. “Such a lovely car, Maggie.”
“I remember when Michael picked it out, I told him I was fine with my other car, but he insisted that I needed this one.” Maggie felt sick at the memory. She recalled them purchasing her previous car only a couple of years before this one. That car was equally stunning, and it had been her first actual “new” car. For some reason Michael felt like she needed the one she drove now, it was more expensive and had so many features that Maggie never even touched. She regretted the purchase because she knew what the car payments were like on this type of luxury sedan, and that meant her husband had to work harder to provide something she didn’t really need.
“Have you talked to him lately?”
Not bothering to reply as she drove a little faster to the dinner, Maggie worried that this was what their lunch date might entail. She knew her mother only wanted the best outcome and was considering everyone involved. Maggie knew she was acting a little selfish, and it tore her up inside keeping Melanie away from Michael. But the door was open, and when he finally figured out that family meant more than work, she would be waiting.
They pulled into the parking lot of their favorite place to eat. When Mary took hold of Maggie’s hand as they walked to the door, it reminded Maggie of when she was a child. Once they entered the aging building, the warm smells and loud chatter of the customers greeted them. They worked their way to a booth near the large windows that looked out to the street.
“What do you suppose you will have today, dear? What does that grandchild of mine in there want?” Mary said as she motioned toward Maggie’s belly.
Maggie laughed. “I was craving some fries, but now I’m thinking I may go with their chowder.” She shivered. Warm soup sounded excellent on this stormy day.
“You know, that sounds wonderful. I think I could go for a bowl of that myself.”
The waitress appeared shortly and took their orders, promising to return with two glasses of water for them.
Mary sighed. “I know you don’t feel like discussing Michael, but I really feel like we should.”
“Oh, Mom, I’m not quite sure what to say. I just started working at the shop, Mel’s in school now and making friends. Things are going pretty well, considering.”
“Maggie, I’m glad you are helping your brothers, but I’m trying to look at the future, the bigger picture.” Mary smiled at the waitress as she returned with their drinks.
“I’m not looking too far into the future because honestly I have no idea what that will hold. For now, I know a couple of things: I’m here in Birch Valley, Mel is in school and around people who love her, and that I want a future with Michael, just not in Seattle.” Maggie’s tone was firm.
“Well, no use discussing it any further I suppose. We love and support you, but I do hope you can work things out with Michael.”
Their soup came to them steaming hot, contained in large homemade bread bowls. Maggie inhaled the sharp scent of the clams, and dug right into the creamy goodness that sat before her.
“This soup is amazing,” Maggie said as she savored the rich flavors.
Mary nodded in agreement. Lunch continued with more neutral conversation, which was an enormous relief. Maggie drove them back to the shop and Mary got into her own car after hugging her tight. There was no shortage of love in her family.
***
The sunshine was out on full display the next morning, which also happened to be the morning of St. Patrick’s Day, as Maggie and Melanie walked to the school. Maggie was a little hesitant to make the trek to school considering yesterday’s temperamental weather. As they entered the aging brick building, the inside was fully decorated with various shades of green garland, there were leprechaun cut outs and shamrocks of every color of green imaginable clinging to the walls. A banner with a giant painted rainbow made up of children's handprints which lead to a glittery pot of gold made Maggie smile.
“Mom, isn’t that so pretty?” Melanie was in awe of the decorations. The community was primarily made up of Irish-Americans, and they went all out for St. Patrick’s Day. The town celebrated with a fun parade and activities for the residents. Grandpa Paddy didn’t see what all the fuss was about, back in his home country of Ireland they didn’t celebrate the holiday the same way as Americans did. Suffice to say, green beer, corned beef, and cabbage were not something Maggie’s grandfather grew up on, at least not until he arrived in America.
After gazing at and enjoying the decorations with Melanie, Maggie saw Rachel leaning against the counter chatting with Karen.
Karen smiled and excused herself to answer a phone call back at her desk.
“Good morning, Miss Melanie. You look positively gorgeous in that green sweater,” Rachel said happily and then went to hug Maggie. “How are you doing?” she whispered in her ear.
/> “I’m okay,” Maggie answered as she pulled away. She was starting to get tired of everyone asking her how she was doing. She knew Rachel meant well, they all meant well, but she was sick of answering the question.
“Are we all ready for class today?” Rachel asked Melanie, patting the girl’s rust-colored hair.
“I love her hair color,” Rachel told Maggie as she ran her own slender fingers through her cropped blonde hair.
“Yeah, something we both inherited from Mom.” Maggie swept her long chestnut hair back into the ponytail that was coming undone.
“Well, I think you both have beautiful hair,” Rachel said to Melanie. The bell rang out loudly, and Melanie waved goodbye to both of them.
“So are you coming to the St. Pat’s Day festival this weekend?” Maggie asked.
“Liam has been talking about it all week, so yes, we will be going.” Rachel laughed.
“Great, I know my brothers have been working on a float for the parade.” Maggie glanced at her watch and realized she needed to hurry to the shop. Her brothers didn’t demand she be there at an exact time, but she did consider this job an actual job and didn’t want to take advantage of their kindness either. “I’d better get to work. See you this weekend.”
Work, it sounded funny coming out of her mouth, it had been such a long time since she had said the word.
Rachel smiled. “Well, I’ll catch up with you later.”
Maggie headed for the double glass doors. She waved at Karen, who was still on the phone, who returned the wave with a smile.
***
Maggie watched as Grandpa Paddy held Melanie’s small hand, and their faces were amused and smiling. She could feel her heart swell as she gazed at them instead of the parade they were watching with much enthusiasm. Her parents each held the hand of one of Patrick’s twins. The boys were not as interested in the parade; they were at that age where running around and jumping on everything had much more appeal. Maggie loved that their town did neat things like the parade, and she had tons of wonderful memories growing up in Birch Valley. She pulled out her cell phone and snapped a picture of her family without them noticing. The moment was too perfect not to capture.
Maggies Marriage (Cloverleaf #2) Page 7